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Gaslamp Quarter Information

Shops: The Gaslamp Quarter is an oasis for fashionistas and shopaholics as it offers large well-known stores and private local boutiques. The shoe shops and clothing stores in the Gaslamp District provide the ideal place for retail therapy.

Dining: From Italian, Irish and Mexican delicacies to Asian, Middle Eastern and traditional American meals, there is no shortage of eclectic cuisine to be found in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter.

Bars: Bars in the Gaslamp District provide an exciting alternative to the same old dull bar experience. In the Gaslamp Quarter, cheer on the dueling pianos while drinking a cocktail at the The Shout! House or lead a toast 20 stories above the city with a view of the skyline at Altitude Sky Lounge.

Art: The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is home to a variety of art galleries, which hold artwork of the past and present. From the well-known Chuck Jones gallery that exhibits the cartoon artist's creations of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to the modern day works of Tim Cantor, there is an array of impressive artwork to appreciate in the Gaslamp Quarter.

History: The Gaslamp District is a historic town that still holds a piece of the past. Since its founding in the 1850's to its transformation into the booming town that it is today, the Gaslamp Quarter now offers tours of the restored historic Victorian era buildings.

Why It's Awesome: The Gaslamp District has an interesting history that tells of failures, successes, gambling halls and a boom-town. While visiting the Gaslamp Quarter, you can learn about the district's past and see how it has transformed into the exciting area that it currently is now offering culture and art, authentic restaurants and worldly cuisines.

Historic Sites: The Gaslamp District has a colorful background as it was founded in 1850 and later became the site of brothels and gambling halls before it eventually cleaned up its act in the late 1980s. The district has tons of character as 94 restored historic Victorian style era buildings still stand in the town today. Visitors can take tours of the buildings and even visit William Heath Davis' house, which is the oldest wooden structure in the district area.

Art Galleries: The art galleries in the Gaslamp Quarter showcase the work of both local talent and famous artists. The Chuck Jones Gallery is one exhibit that the kids will be sure to love, as it spotlights the early roots of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, featuring sketches, sculptures and prints.

Eateries: San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is a mecca of restaurants and bars. There's a restaurant for everyone's craving whether it be Indian tandoori kabobs at Masalaor Italian fettuccine at BiCE Ristorante. The waterfront town also serves up fresh seafood and local craft beer, as the bars and lounges entertain with live music and performances.

The Local Scoop: In addition to the restaurants and bars that line the Gaslamp Quarter, there are also numerous music venues that host live performances. Live jazz is played every night at Croce's Restaurant and Bar while Patrick's Gaslamp Pub invites authentic blues players to perform each night. Salsa, rock and even Irish music can be found at the local venues in the Gaslamp Quarter as well.

Do Ride the Trolley: The trolley conveniently stops at Fifth Avenue, so you can visit the Gaslamp District without the stress of searching for parking or paying a valet.

Do Stay in the Gaslamp: With all the enticing shops by day and alluring bars and lounges at night, you won't want to leave the Gaslamp Quarter after just a few hours. Reserve a San Diego hotel room in the Gaslamp District to ensure you have the opportunity to experience all of what the district offers.

Don't Miss the Tours: Tons of tours are offered around the Gaslamp Quarter including historic tours, food tours, beer tours and even fashion tours. Visitors can also partake in Segway tours, in which guests travel the streets by Segway.

Don't Miss the Holidays: The Gaslamp District is known for its holiday parades that celebrate in the streets on special occasions. The Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday parade and St. Patrick Day ShamROCK festival are popular in addition to the Fallback Festival for children and the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade, in which owners and their pets dress up alike for contests and prizes during the holiday season.

The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is a waterfront town with a colorful past. The San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is said to have gotten its name from the gas-lamps that commonly lined the streets of the town during the late 19th and early 20th century. Since its early days as a red-light district, the Gaslamp Quarter has since transformed into a city of rich history and current entertainment. Tours of the 94 historic Victorian buildings are now offered, including a tour of the house of William Heath Davis. Davis is responsible for originally founding the town in 1850, and his house is the oldest wooden structure in the area.

Modern day Gaslamp District is a popular place for shopping, dinning, and spending a night out on the town. The Gaslamp District offers more than 200 restaurants, nightclubs and music venues in addition to various popular shops and local boutiques. There is something for everyone to enjoy at any time of the day in the Gaslamp District as it offers both day and night activities. By day visitors can shop at their favorite national brand stores and browse the local merchants, and by night they can cheers at an authentic Irish pub or dance the mamba at a salsa club. The district is especially known for its nightlife scene, as it is the home to numerous rooftop bars and lounges where live music and comedy shows perform nightly. Visitors should check out live entertainment at the well-known Hard Rock Cafe, or visit Osetra the Fishhouse, which has a three-story wine tower where servers suspend from harnesses and wires to retrieve your wine selection.